The Black Librarian in America: Reflections, Resistance, and Reawakening
Edited By Shauntee Burns-Simpson, Nichelle M. Hayes, Ana Ndumu and Shaundra Walker
About the Book
The Black Librarian in America: Reflections, Resistance, and Reawakening is the latest in the powerful line of The Black Librarian in America volumes.
While previous editions we organized around library types, this edition is organized in four thematic sections:
- A Rich Heritage: Black Librarian History
- Celebrating Collective and Individual Identity
- Black Librarians across Settings
- Moving Forward: Activism, Anti-Racism, and Allyship
The Black Librarian in America: Reflections, Resistance, and Reawakening is not only the first edition to be edited entirely by Black women, but it is officially produced by BCALA members in commemoration of the organization’s 50th anniversary. Dr. Carla Hayden (14th Librarian of Congress) and Julius Jefferson, Jr. (president of the American Library Association for the 2020-2021 term) contribute moving foreword and afterword segments.
About the Editors
The Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA) serves as an advocate for the improvement of library services and resources to the nation’s African American community. It also provides leadership for recruiting and fostering African American or Black librarians. BCALA is the oldest of the national ethnic groups affiliated with the American Library Association. Throughout its 50-year history, it has served as a conscience for the library profession, speaking out on issues that affect librarians and communities of color. BCALA continues to be a thriving organization of more than 1000 members across all 50 states. The organization remains steadfast and unwavering in its commitment to social justice and has been instrumental in decrying recent police brutality, xenophobia, and political disenfranchisement.
Editors
Shauntee Burns-Simpson (MLIS) currently serves as the 2020-2022 president of BCALA. She is the associate director of School Support & Outreach for the New York Public Library.
Nichelle Hayes (MPA, MLS) is the BCALA president-elect (2022-2024) and current vice-president. She leads the Center for Black Literature & Culture (CBLC) at the Indianapolis Public Library.
Ana Ndumu (MLIS, Ph.D.) is an assistant professor at the University of Maryland College Park’s College of Information Studies. Ana is a BCALA executive board member and co-chair of the Professional Development & Recruitment Committee.
Shaundra Walker (MSLS, Ph.D.) is the library director at Georgia College.